that's what this law could change. some republicans say the law would not be effective. >> they fail to recognize that criminals won't be any more likely to submit to expanded background checks than they are currently. they will go around supposedly universal checks to steal guns or buy them in the black market. >> reporter: some republicans also are concerned that expanding background checks would lead to a national registry of gun owners, which they oppose. jon. jon: so do any of these bills have a chance of getting through the full senate? >> reporter: well, all of the bills may possible the democratically-controlled senate judiciary committee today, but the full senate is another matter. accepts and democrats seem maybe willing to come to some kind of agreement on a new law adding stiffer penalties who those who traffic in firearms and on straw purchases. those are people who legally can buy guns and pass them onto those who cannot. here is more. >> straw purchasers circumvent the purpose of the background check sy